Biotech CEO Sisterhood

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Daphne Zohar, Kate Haviland talks about the numerous programs that Blueprint created, the rationale behind key go/no-go and partnering decisions, and how she feels about the biotech sector today.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Nina Tandon describes what it has taken to get a startup through the recent difficult times for the biotech sector, including applying for military funding and making the product available in international markets where compassionate use is an option.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, Dr. Gujrathi discusses a three pillar framework for success she has learned during her career in life sciences: know thyself, understand your environment, and set yourself up for success.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Reenie McCarthy discusses how working with the Barth Syndrome Community, an ultra rare disease, helped the company better understand outcomes that are important to daily life for these patients. She also highlights the role that mitochondria play in biology, and the future of treatments for diseases of mitochondrial dysfunction.

She describes the process of how the company's computing platform sorts through proteins that are secreted by stem cells and screens them for therapeutic potential. Plus, the lead clinical program for muscle conditions and also a partnership with Lilly in the obesity space.

She discusses the approach and the company's lead program, which targets PI3Kδ. Plus, and autotaxin program for cancer and TGF-β.

Dr. Gujrathi describes the beginning of the Sisterhood, discusses her new book, "The Mirror Effect," and shares her take on biotech and what types of companies and teams she likes to work with.

She describes the unmet need for patients who no longer respond to the large CDK4/6 class of medicines, and the decades of work she has put into solving the problem of adding CDK2 inhibition into the equation.

She describes the work the company is doing, which has a lead program targeting PIP4K2C and is scheduled to be in the clinic later this year.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw describes her beginnings in designing enzymes, and eventually pioneering biologics and biosimilars after an initial success in making recombinant human insulin for the India market. She discusses her emphasis on affordable innovation and shares business learnings from her career.

Interviewed by Xilio Therapeutics President & CEO René Russo, Dr. Liebisch describes her start in the industry as a patent attorney, discusses why having a champion in a larger partner is key, and explains why she even once threw a party when Vigil discontinued a candidate. Vigil Neuroscience was acquired by Sanofi earlier this year for an equity value representing approximately $470 million, plus a CVR.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Jennifer Good describes the factors that have led to Trevi's success in an otherwise difficult biotech market. She highlights the importance of speaking clearly and honestly with investors and the company's board. Plus, Erika and Jennifer reflect on Life-Science SPRINTS, an internship program they stood up in the New Haven, Connecticut area.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Daphne Zohar, Sophie Kornowski shares her keys to creating great assets, commercialization, partnerships, and, ultimately, executing a successful deal if the right opportunity comes along. Plus, her thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and being a successful CEO.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, she describes the unmet need for developing evidence based products for women's heath, and women's sexual health specifically. Plus, how Daré has thought outside the box regarding its path to market, including utilizing compounding, her experience running a public company, thoughts on mitigating potential FDA delays, and advice for entrepreneurs.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Julia Owens, Catherine Owen Adams shares her career journey, and discusses the perceived and real differences between pharma and biotech. She introduces us to Acadia Pharmaceuticals and talks about what it has been like in the job so far.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Paula Ragan shares her career path and things she has learned along the way. She describes what it is like managing a company during these volatile times for the sector, and previews a big readout X4 will have next year.

Interviewed by Normunity CEO Rachel Humphrey at MassBio's 2025 State of Possible Conference, Luba explains how the Sisterhood arms members with important information, she shares the impression of the Massachusetts ecosystem she has gained as a MassBio board member, and also describes the effort against cancer at Gallop that motivates her each day.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Yvonne Greenstreet describes her upbringing and early career as a physician in the UK, her decision to get an MBA, and the mentors who have impacted her path. She describes joining Alnylam in 2016, and the growth that has happened there since then. Plus, how being CEO has been different, and the values she prioritizes as a leader.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, Marianne De Backer advocates for the importance of getting experience in a diverse set of roles, she describes joining Vir at a time when it had experienced its first setbacks, and how a deal for a T-cell engager program has been transformational.

Interviewed by ReCode Therapeutics' CEO Shehnaaz Suliman, she describes the journey of co-founding companies including AskBio, Bamboo Therapeutics, Chatham Therapeutics, and Viralgen VectorCore. Plus, advocacy for better breast cancer screening for all women after her own personal experience of finding a tumor that screening had missed.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Sarah Boyce describes how to recognize dysfunction and the importance of acting on it directly and with clarity. Plus, maintaining Avidity's culture during a period of explosive growth for the company.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Julia Owens, Dr. Hedley, who was the co-founder of TESARO and today is a member of numerous boards, speaks about the types of discussions board members should be having, best practices for the length of board meetings, and how to ensure that management is doing its job correctly. Plus, advice for current and aspiring CEOs.

Sisterhood editorial board members Daphne Zohar (Seaport Therapeutics) and Luba Greenwood (Gallop Oncology) share their experiences about what types of leaders do and don't make good board members, how to efficiently manage meetings and discussions, and general leadership skills of running a company.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, former Carmot Therapeutics CEO and newly named CEO of LB Therapeutics Heather Turner talks about communications skills and other best practices for CEOs to have an effective working relationship with their board of directors.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, Christine Miller describes taking the job at Melinta after a business reorganization and in the middle of the pandemic, and where and how she has led the business since. Plus, the importance of investing in the antimicrobial space.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Deborah Dunsire describes her career path, how medicine is making progress in areas such as neuroscience, the cyclical nature of biotech and what it means for investment risk, and more.